Novel safety swimming pool wading platform

ABSTRACT

A novel safety swimming pool wading platform is described. The wading platform is used in conjunction with a regular size swimming pool and is especially designed for use by small children. It has a base supported by four legs and a railing. A front set of legs are adjustable and are designed to rest in a non-skid manner on the bottom of an existing pool. A rear set of legs are also adjustable and are designed to rest on the edge of the pool. The platform base is immersed under water and adjusted to any desired depth and typically to a depth sufficient to permit the heads of small children to remain above water while they are in a standing position. The depth of the platform is adjusted by adjusting the length of the front and rear legs. For safety purposes, the wading platform may be enclosed by a net to prevent users from stepping off the edge into water over their heads.

United States Patent [191 Beaudin, Jr. A

[ 1 June 4, 1974 NOVEL SAFETY SWIMMING POOL WADING PLATFORM [76] Inventor: Gerald P. Beaudin, Jr., 769 Mont Vista Ln., Rochester, NY.

[22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 397,934

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1920 Norman 182/62 X 7/1936 Cary 4/1964 Aquila 132/106 Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artis Attorney. Agent, or FirmDenson and Kurtzman [57] ABSTRACT A novel safety swimming pool wading platform is described. The wading platform is used in conjunction with a regular size swimming pool and is especially designed for use by small children. It has a base supported by four legs and a railing. A front set of legs are adjustable and are designed to rest in a non-skid manner on the bottom of an existing pool. A rear set of legs are also adjustable and are designed to rest on the edge of the pool. The platform base is immersed under water and adjusted to any desired depth and typically to a depth sufficient to permit the heads of small children to remain above water while they are in a standing position. The depth of the platform is adjusted by adjusting the length of the front and rear legs. For safety purposes, the wading platform may be enclosed by a net to prevent users from stepping off the edge into water over their heads.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJuu 41914 3313303 SHEEI 2 BF 2 F/a z.

1 I NOVEL SAFETY SWIMMING POOL WADING PLATFORM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel swimming pool wading platform particularly designed for use by small children.

Most in-ground pools have shallow areas for use by children. Frequently, however, even the shallow areas of such pools have depths greater than the height of an individual child. Pre-school age children are generally too small to be able to stand on the bottom of such pools with their heads above the surface of the water. This is unfortunate and could be dangerous since many pre-school age children cannot swim. The ability to stand on the bottom of a pool while learning to swim is also important since it lends to the childs security, and if the child has a fear of water, can help alleviate such fear.

Unlike in-ground pools, most above-ground pools are of uniform depth and contain no shallow areas. These pools are almost totally unusable by tots who are nonswimmers because in most cases, the water is over their heads. Thus, where the small youngster is concerned, both types of pools are disadvantageous for their use unless an adult is available to hold the child in the water, or unless a suitable floating device is available.

Wading pools or kiddie pools" are widely available for use by small children. Such pools, however, are not a substitute for large, regular size pools. Furthermore, the number of children that such pools can accommodate at one time is extremely limited and obviously, such pools cannot accommodate any adults. Additionally, some wading pools are relatively expensive and can require a substantial degree of maintenance such as changing the water every three or four days, or in the case of larger wading pools, replenishing chemicals and servicing pumps and filters.

Thus, there is a need for a swimming facility which is capable of accommodating a large number of children, is safe for use by such children, and can be used in conjunction with a standard existing in-ground or above-ground pool.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a novel safety swimming pool wading platform.

It is another object of this invention to provide a swimming pool wading platform which is adjustable to varying heights.

Yet another object of this invention'is to provide a swimming pool wading platform which is readily attachable to existing swimming pools.

A further object of this invention is to provide a swimming pool wading platform which is relatively maintenance free.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a swimming pool wading platform which is safe for use by small children.

A further object of this invention is to provide a swimming pool wading platform which is low in cost, portable, and easy to install in existing pools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects of this invention are accom plished with a swimming pool wading platform having 2 a base supported by four legs and a railing. A front seat of legs are adjustable and are designed torest in a nonskid manner on the bottom of an existing pool. A rear set of legs are also adjustable and are designed to rest on the edge of the pool. The platform base is immersed under water and adjusted to any desired depth and typically to a depth sufficient to permit the head of small children to remain above water while they are in a standing position. The depth of the platform is adjusted by adjusting the length of the front and rear legs. For safety purposes, the wading platform may be enclosed by a net to prevent users from stepping off the edge into water over their heads. Specific inventive details and advantages are described hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the adjustable portion of v the rear legs of the swimming pool wading platform) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIGS. 1 and 2, swimming pool wading platform 1 contains a platform base 2 which is usually positioned in a swimming pool below the surface of water 11'. The depth to which the base is immersed under the surface of the water is adjustable and is explained in greater detail below. Platform base 2 can be constructed of any suitable material such as wood, metal, plastic, etc., and may be carpeted for aesthetic as well as comfort and safety (anti-slip) purposes. Base 2 can be of any suitable dimensions as desired by the user, but generally is designated to comfortably accommodate several small children at any one time. The size is also controlled by the size of the pool with which it is used. Wading platform I is supported by an adjustable pair of front legs 4 and an adjustable pair of rear legs 9. Front legs 4 are designed to rest on swimming pool bottom 12 having sub-facing 15, while rear legs 9 rest on the ground surface 14 immediately adjacent to the edge of-thc pool. In order to ensure that front legs 4'are securely positioned on pool bottom 12, the bottoms of the legs are provided with a non-skid material 6 such as rubber. Additionally, material 6 may be shaped in a fashion to enhance the non-slip characteristics, e.g., as a rubberized suction cup. The length of front leg 4 is adjusted by removing adjustment set screw 7, moving telescoping portion5 of leg 4 to the desired position and repositioning set screw 7. The bottoms of rear legs 9 are also provided with a non-skid device 8 such as a rubber bumper or suction cup to ensure that the legs remain in position. The length of rear leg 9 is adjusted by removing adjustment set screw 7, moving telescoping portion 21 to the desired position, and repositioning set screw 7.

The forward portion of platform base 2 is supported by front horizontal cross-support member 17 which extends transversely between front legs 4 and joins them together. Front legs 4 are connected to rear legs 9 by U-shaped main railing l6 and supplemental upper railing 20. Front legs 4, rear legs 9 and upper railing 20 may optionally be comprised of one U-shaped member thereby enhancing the convenience of assembling the swimming pool wading platform described herein. The

platform base 2 and main railing l6 and prevents a small child from wandering off the edge of platform base 2 into deeper water. Likewise, loopl provides a place for fastening a rope or line to ensure that individuals on the edge of the pool do not fall in.

FIG. 3, viewed in conjunction with H08. 1 and 2, shows greater detail of the structure of adjustable rear legs 9. lnner telescoping portion 21 of rear leg 9 contains a series of openings 22. The length of rear leg 9 is appropriately adjusted by inserting set screw 7 through a desired opening 22 in telescoping portion 21 and through a corresponding opening in leg 9. Front leg 4 and its corresponding telescoping portion 5 are adjusted in a manner similar to that described for rear leg 9 and telescoping portion 21. While set screw 7 has been referred to in conjunction with the various adjustable members, any type of pin, clip or other suitable device may be used for retaining the telescoping portions in the desired positions.

In operation, the wading platform is placed in position in close proximity to pool wall 13 by firmly positioning base 6 on pool bottom 12 and base 8 on ground surface 14. The front portion of platform base 2 is placed at the desired height below water surface 11 by raising or lowering front horizontal cross-support member 17. This is accomplished by adjusting telescoping portion 5 of front legs 4 by removing and re-positioning set screw 7 as previously described thereby placing front horizontal support member 17 in the desired position. The rear portion'of platform base 2 is placed at the desired height by raisin gor lowering rear horizontal cross-support member 18. This is accomplished by adjusting telescoping portion 21 of rear legs 9 by removing and re-positioning set screw 7 in the same manner as for front legs 4 thereby causing railing l6 and vertical support member 19 to be raised or lowered which in turn causes cross-support member 18 to also be accordingly raised or lowered. 7

Because of the adjustable features of the novel swimming pool wading platform described herein, it is usable on all sizes and shapes of pools, including pools that have steeply slanted bottoms. Bottom 6 may optionally be pivotally attached to permit it to swivel about telescoping portion 5 of front legs 4 to ensure that a complete and non-skid relationship exists between bottom 6 and pool bottom 12 regardless of the severity of the slope of pool bottom 12. By adjusting front legs 4 and rear legs 9, platform base 2 can be maintained in a substantially level position. The relatively simple structure of the wading platfonn lends to its portability and ease of installation in all types of swimming pools. in operation, the depth of submersion of platform base 2 is generally to a point which permits at least the heads of the children using the pool to be above the surface of the water.

Among the several advantages associated with the novel swimming poolwading platform described herein are that it enhances the safety of small children who desire to use large pools through its adjustable depth base and by the net which surrounds the entire platform. The positioning of rear legs 9 on the ground immediately adjacent to the edge of a swimming pool and the positioning of front legs 4 on pool bottom 12 further facilitate safety by lending increased stability to the entire device while in use. A further advantage is that the device can be made large enough to accommodate several small youngsters at once as opposed to standard wading pools which have more limited capacities. While larger wading pools can accommodate a greater number of children, the maintenance required of such pools is practically the same as that required for regular size pools (e.g., replenishing chemicals, cleaning filters. etc). In contrast, the wading platform of this invention is relatively maintenance free. Other advantages include the fact that the wading platform of this invention provides a low cost alternative to purchasing a large size wading pool, is easily transportable, and readily attachable to an existing pool.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

l claim:

I. A swimming pool wading platform comprising a. an elevated platform base;

b. a front pair of legs;

c. a rear pair of legs;

d. a railing comprising a U-shaped connecting member for joining said front pair of legs to said rear pair of legs and for joining together said front pair of legs with each other; and

e. a front and a rear horizontal cross-support member for supporting said platform base wherein said front horizontal cross-support member extends transverse to and is attached to each of the front pairs of legs and wherein said rear horizontal crosssupport member is attached to said railing by a pair of vertical support members positioned transverse to and attached to each end of said rear horizontal cross-support member.

2. A wading platform as described in claim 1 wherein the lengths of said front pair of legs and said rear pair of legs are adjustable.

3. A wading platform as described in claim 1 having a protective net extending from said railing to said platform base.

4. A wading platform as described in claim 1 wherein said platform base is either wood, metal or plastic.

5. A wading platform as described in claim 1 wherein said platform base is carpeted.

6. A swimming pool containing a wading platform comprising a. an elevated platform base;

b. a front pair of legs;

c. a rear pair of legs;

d. a railing comprising a U-shaped connecting member for joining said front pair of legs to said rear pair of legs and for joining together said front pair of legs with each other; and

e. a front and a rear horizontal cross-support member for supporting said platform base wherein said front horizontal cross-support member extends transverse to and is attached to each of the front pair of legs and wherein said rear horizontal crosssupport member is attached to said railing by a pair of vertical support members positioned transverse to and attached to each end of said rear horizontal cross-support member.

7. A swimming pool containing a wading platform as described in claim 6 wherein said front pair of legs is positioned on the bottom of said pool and said rear pair of legs is positioned on the surface immediately adjacent to the edge of said pool. 

1. A swimming pool wading platform comprising a. an elevated platform base; b. a front pair of legs; c. a rear pair of legs; d. a railing comprising a U-shaped connecting member for joining said front pair of legs to said rear pair of legs and for joining together said front pair of legs with each other; and e. a front and a rear horizontal cross-support member for supporting said platform base wherein said front horizontal cross-support member extends transverse to and is attached to each of the front pairs of legs and wherein said rear horizontal cross-support member is attached to said railing by a pair of vertical support members positioned transverse to and attached to each end of said rear horizontal cross-support member.
 2. A wading platform as described in claim 1 wherein the lengths of said front pair of legs and said rear pair of legs are adjustable.
 3. A wading platform as described in claim 1 having a protective net extending from said railing to said platform base.
 4. A wading platform as described in claim 1 wherein said platform base is either wood, metal or plastic.
 5. A wading platform as described in claim 1 wherein said platform base is carpeted.
 6. A swimming pool containing a wading platform comprising a. an elevated platform base; b. a front pair of legs; c. a rear pair of legs; d. a railing comprising a U-shaped connecting member for joining said front pair of legs to said rear pair of legs and for joining together said front pair of legs with each other; and e. a front and a rear horizontal cross-support member for supporting said platform base wherein said front horizontal cross-support member extends transverse to and is attached to each of the front pair of legs and wherein said rear horizontal cross-support member is attached to said railing by a pair of vertical support members positioned transverse to and attached to each end of said rear horizontal cross-support member.
 7. A swimming pool containing a wading platform as described in claim 6 wherein said front pair of legs is positioned on the bottom of said pool and said rear pair of legs is positioned on the surface immediately adjacent to the edge of said pool. 